Ex-lawmaker Willie Logan settles ethics case

Associated Press

Published Sunday, June 30, 2002

TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- Former state Rep. Willie Logan has agreed to be publicly reprimanded and pay an $8,000 fine for wrongly using state money as part of a settlement with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

The proposed punishment would end an inquiry whether the Opa-locka Democrat broke the law by misusing the state money he was given to run his legislative office in South Florida.

The commission meets July 25 to consider the settlement.

The Miami Herald reported in 2000 that Logan had collected $11,395 from the state to lease an office from the anti-poverty agency he heads. But Logan failed to pay rent over a 20-month period, until Opa-locka Community Development Corp. board members began asking questions.

The commission found that as a member of the House, Logan received a monthly stipend of $1,544.25 from January 1998 through June 1999, and $1,600 a month from July 1999 through September 1999. Rent at his district legislative office ranged from $430 to $500 per month, plus electricity.

The commission said Logan collected a total of $11,395 for rent, but paid only $2,179.14 for office space and electricity during that period. Logan paid off the debt in November 1999, the commission found, after borrowing $63,000 from the community development corporation.

The settlement notes that Logan broke the law by using state money "in a manner inconsistent with the proper performance of his public duties." It also states that Logan "admits he failed to comply with procedures and policies regarding reimbursement of legislative expenses that he knew, or should have known, were applicable."

Logan declined to comment on the matter, but he said that after the agreement has been signed: "I'll be able to get on with my life."